Battlefield 2042 is finally real, and heads to Xbox and PC later this year

Battlefield 2042 looks to bring an all-new multiplayer shooter experience to consoles and PC.

What you need to know

• As part of E3 2021, EA DICE has finally revealed the latest entry in the long-running Battlefield shooter franchise.
• Battlefield 2042 is set in the near future, and ramps up the action and mayhem with larger-than-ever maps and events.
• On current-gen consoles and PC, Battlefield 2042 will support 128-player multiplayer and several exciting game modes.
• Battlefield 2042 launches for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, and PC on October 22, with pre-orders available right now.

The moment you've all been waiting for has finally arrived. As part of E3 2021, EA DICE has officially unveiled the next entry in the Battlefield franchise. Battlefield 2042 seeks to revolutionize the modern first-person shooter experience with all the chaos and scale people love from the Battlefield franchise, but dialed up to 11. Here's what you can expect from Battlefield 2042, which is revealed alongside a slick new trailer and some bold promises from EA.

The reveal trailer doesn't show off any gameplay, but it does feature plenty of the over-the-top crazy action expected from Battlefield games, and a peek at some of the insane world events that might show up in Battlefield 2042.

Battlefield 2042 is set in a world not too distant in the future (hence the name) where the world is on the verge of falling apart and millions of people have been displaced. Players will take control of Specialists, which resemble classic Battlefield loadouts but with Specialist Traits and Specialties and a full range of customization, before participating in epic battles that take place in the largest and more dynamic maps Battlefield has seen yet. What makes Battlefield 2042 truly special, however, is the introduction of 128 player multiplayer on current-gen consoles and PC.

Some of the features Battlefield 2042 boasts of include:

• Up to 128 player matches with All-Out Warfare, featuring fan-favorite modes like Conquest and Breakthrough, on seven of Battlefield's largest maps
• Massive dynamic maps filled with absurd weather events like tornados and sandstorms, map-changing world events, environmental hazards, and ways to interact with the world around you
• A new squad-based Hazard Mode game-type that promises to be distinctly Battlefield without mirroring Conquest and Breathrough modes
• A third game mode that will be revealed at EA Play Live on July 22, 2021
• 10 unique Specialists to play with fully customizable loadouts and weapons, with ways to change weapon loadouts on the fly
• The return of classic Battlefield vehicle warfare, with ways to order new vehicles on the battlefield

There's more coming to Battlefield 2042 in its first year, however, as EA is planning to incorporate the popular "Seasons" system. Four Seasons are already planned for Battlefield 2042, each with both free and premium tiers (through a Battle Pass), that will add new Specialists and locations to the game.

Battlefield 2042 is heading to Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, and PC through Origin, Steam, and the Epic Games Store. Battlefield 2042 will be optimized for current-gen consoles and PC, and 128 player multiplayer will only be supported on the newer, more powerful hardware. The older Xbox One and PS4 consoles will still feature the same dynamic and modern gameplay, but on smaller maps built for up to 64 players. As for when you can expect the game to release, Battlefield 2042 officially launches for all platforms on October 22, 2021.

You can pre-order Battlefield 2042 beginning right now, with three different editions to choose from. Keep in mind, Battlefield 2042 does cost a little more on current-gen consoles. If you pre-order, you'll gain access to the Battlefield 2042 beta too.

Battlefield 2042 looks like it could be a truly impressive entry in the long-running franchise, and has a shot at securing its place as one of the best Xbox shooters if it delivers on its ambitious promises and hectic gameplay.

All Out Warfare

Battlefield 2042 (Preorder)

$70 at Microsoft (Xbox Series X|S) $60 at Microsoft (Xbox One) $70 at Amazon

Battlefield goes back to the future.

Battlefield 2042 debuts Electronic Arts' next-generation vision for the military shooter, supporting up to 128 players, the largest ever maps, and shaping up as its most ambitious entry to date.